A rhythm for well being

The above picture is that of the lawn Anna and I began working on in October 2012, immediately after we relocated in my mother's cottage at Keezhillom. It is growing, although slowly. It is a favourite site for us to sit and watch the morning sun and birds that come to feed from the bird feeder. Of late Daffney found this as her favourite spot to run and chase the ball when we play with her.

This is the first time, we are directly tending the lawn although we have had a lawn in both the houses we lived in in the last fifteen years. What are we learning from this effort?

Every day it needs watering. Every week, the weeds need to be removed. Every two weeks it would need a sprinkling of fertiliser. The grass needs to be manually cut once in a month. This is the rhythm of care the lawn requires for its upkeep. 

This has brought to our attention some valuable insights about our inner life. We would need a daily rhythm of rest, reflection and renewal. For most of us this would come from our set apart time of quietness in meditation and prayer. We would need regular debriefing, at least once a week to feel relieved of stress, pressure of work, or hurts or disappointments. This grants us well being and refreshment. We would need prolonged time, of at least half a day retreat, once month to revisit experiences and draw lessons for personal growth. We would need regular contacts with friends and well wishers to grow relationally. 

Why do we need to foster a rhythm in living? We are often driven by circumstances and demand. We stretch ourselves to fulfil all our responsibilities without being sensitive to our personal and family needs. We tend to set aside our personal needs to meet all other needs. This is a risky path for burn out and disillusionment. 

I wish all of us would be able to do something creative that allows us personal time to be present to ourselves. We are our best friends. In listenings to the movements within, we shall pay attention to the milieu of our heart of joy, anger, disappointment, fear, longings..... It is such an active personal attention which would help us to live fully rather than drag ourselves with a burden weighing on us!

The lawn is a call for measures for our inner upkeep! 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)